A GREEN-FINGERED grandad’s vegetable-growing skills have seen his allotment named the finest in Loughton.
Brian Smith, of Millsmead Way, impressed a panel of judges to win the town council’s annual Best Allotment award for the second year running.
The 72-year-old grows everything from strawberries and courgettes to sweetcorn and tomatoes on the Loughton Potato Ground plot he has rented for four years.
He puts his continued success down to ‘a lot of hard work and dedication’.
Mr Smith said: “If you’re going to do it, do it properly. I always say to people you’ve got to dedicate some time and hard work.
“And I am ably helped by my good wife Marion,” he added.
The retired computer consultant also has his genes to thank for his victory – his father was a greengrocer and his grandfather a farmer.
The proceeds of his hard work go straight onto Mr and Mrs Smith’s dinner table, with the odd donation offered to friends and neighbours.
Asked if he has any surprises up his sleeve for next year’s contest, Mr Smith said: “Well that’s the secret - I’m not going to let loose what we are going to do next year.”
For information on renting an allotment, visit Loughton Potato Ground’s website .
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel